Processing Area Expert

Winland Foods•North East, PA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

At Winland Foods, the Processing Area Expert helps keep production running safely, smoothly, and efficiently. The role operates, monitors, and maintains processing machinery and equipment, oversees assigned production lines, and ensures batches meet quality and food safety standards. It includes equipment operation and upkeep, changeovers, troubleshooting, product handling, quality control, inventory transactions, sanitation, documentation, and continuous improvement. The position provides progressively advanced team support and leadership, including coordinating work, leading shift meetings and changeovers, training and mentoring coworkers, and addressing performance or skill gaps. The employee works with supervisors, Maintenance, and team members to resolve issues, reduce downtime and defects, and improve line performance. Work is performed at Winland Foods' North East, Pennsylvania facility on a 5:30 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. schedule. The role may require overtime or weekend work as needed.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
At least 1 year of work experience, preferably in manufacturing or food production.
At least 18 years of age.
Ability to operate, troubleshoot, and perform minor repairs on production line equipment, including cartoners, baggers, case packers, sealers, depalletizers, and palletizers.
Mechanical aptitude and ability to identify and resolve equipment irregularities.
Proficiency in SAP, hand scanners, and basic math.
Computer literacy in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Knowledge of GMPs, SQF, HACCP, FSMA, and other food safety regulations, and commitment to company safety policies and procedures.
Ability to communicate effectively with coworkers, supervisors, and others at the worksite in English, including understanding and responding to oral communications, understanding written and safety information, and communicating in writing as needed.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment and provide training, guidance, and feedback to team members.
Positive, dependable, self-motivated work ethic; strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, multitasking ability, and flexibility in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to work overtime or weekends as needed.
Ability to lift up to 50 pounds, push heavy loads, stand or walk for up to 90% of the shift, climb as needed, and perform frequent physical activities such as pulling, carrying, grasping, reaching, twisting, turning, and stooping.
Good hand-eye coordination and motor skills; near and far visual acuity, corrected vision, color perception, and normal hearing.
Ability to wear required PPE and work in conditions that may include wet or humid environments, moving mechanical parts, heights, fumes, airborne particles, extreme temperatures, electrical risks, and vibrations.

Nice To Haves

Forklift certification; certification is required for the Advanced Level, and candidates without it must be willing to obtain it.
For higher levels, expert troubleshooting of high-speed processing equipment and a strong understanding of its theory of operation.
Experience with Winland Excellence CIL, centerlining, and line huddle activities.
For advanced levels, proficiency in MII and WE systems and ability to interpret line huddle measures to resolve issues.
For advanced levels, experience leading projects, identifying skill gaps, and supporting multiple initiatives with minimal supervision.

Responsibilities

Operate, oversee, inspect, troubleshoot, repair, and perform preventive maintenance on manufacturing and processing equipment, including forklift operation, die changes, and equipment changeovers.
Monitor equipment performance and production lines to support safe, efficient, and continuous operation; make real-time adjustments and address operational issues.
Set up assigned production lines, ensure staffing and materials are organized, and collaborate with Maintenance to maintain equipment functionality.
Complete sanitation steps after changeovers and maintain cleanliness and sanitation in assigned areas.
Inspect products for correct labeling, alignment, processing, weight, material accuracy, and quality; perform manual packing and palletizing.
Follow FIFO inventory methods and record inventory transactions, shipments, and quality results in SAP.
Enforce quality checks and compliance with GMP, HACCP, SQF, FSMA, and company food safety policies; maintain accurate compliance documentation.
Lead FSQ compliance in the assigned area, mentor team members on food safety, and uphold sanitation and facility standards.
Assist coworkers, provide backup coverage, share knowledge, coordinate team activities, assign tasks, lead shift meetings, and train others in advanced operations.
Direct changeovers, identify skill gaps, provide feedback, and support training programs in assigned areas.
Complete production paperwork, report issues to supervisors, review paperwork, and maintain thorough records of production activities.
Participate in 5S efforts and serve as the 5S champion for the area.
Lead improvement projects, perform operator-based maintenance, analyze downtime causes, monitor performance metrics, and help implement process improvements.
Follow company safety policies, use required PPE, adhere to lock-out/tag-out and safe lifting procedures, and promptly report food safety or quality concerns.

Benefits

Medical insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
401(k) with match
Short-term disability, long-term disability, accidental death and dismemberment, and life coverage
Health Savings Account (HSA)
Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Hospital indemnity insurance
Accident insurance
Identity and fraud protection plan
Legal coverage
Critical illness insurance